Presented by the Gainesville Community Band and the Gainesville High School Bands

Richard W. Bowles (1918-2009)

Richard W. Bowles (1918-2009), nationally recognized band director and composer, joined the University of Florida faculty in 1958 as director of the Gator Marching Band and professor of trombone. In 1961 he was appointed Director of Bands. In addition to the hundreds of compositions and arrangements he wrote for the university bands, he had over 400 published works of music. During his UF years he served as president of the College Band Directors National Association and was a frequent guest conductor and clinician. Elected to the American Bandmasters Association, he was also the first inductee into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. Other musical awards came from ASCAP, Phi Beta Mu, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi. In 1975 he stepped down as Director of Bands and ten years later he retired from the university. Active on the local music scene, he worked with local school bands and became a special friend of the Gainesville Community Band, serving as guest conductor of the band on many occasions. He composed the band’s signature piece, Tree City Fanfare in 2003. An avid angler, Professor Bowles regularly contributed columns and photographs on sport fishing to various publications.

The Program includes performances by the GCB and the GHS Concert and Symphonic Bands:

The GCB will play:

Burst of Flame, by Richard W. Bowles.Tree City Fanfare, by Richard W. Bowles. Professor Bowles dedicated this composition to the city of Gainesville.Heat Lightning, by Richard W. Bowles.The Saints, by Richard W. Bowles. Featured in the movie, Drumline.Trumpet Song, by Richard W. Bowles. Performed by Amanda Moo.
“Schottische” and “Cake Walk” from Suite of old American Dances, by Robert Russell Bennett.

The Band was founded in 1974 with eleven members. In 1978, the Gainesville City Commission passed a resolution designating the GCB as the Official Community Band of Gainesville. With a current a roster of about 80 members, the Band is made up of teachers, professors, scientists, business professionals, students, physicians, contractors, realtors, trades-persons, and retirees.